Trivia tidbits from The Encyclopedia of New England:

• Tupperware was developed after World War II by Earl Tupper, of Berlin, N.H.

• Rhode Island is the only U.S. state with a majority Catholic population.

• The “L.L” in L.L. Bean stands for Leon Leonwood.

• June, 1816, was known as the “Year without Summer” – snow during every summer month that year contributed to widespread crop failure and loss of livestock.

• Chowder did not originate in New England. References to chowder lead back to France, where it was known as “chaudiere.”

• Benjamin Franklin, Boston native and first postmaster general, has appeared on 29 postage stamp series and pre-stamped cards and letters since 1847.